Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 979: Taxation provisions; increases standard deduction.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 979 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Taxation provisions; increases standard deduction. Primary sponsor: Vivian Watts (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (February 11, 2026): Incorporates HB188 (Convirs-Fowler).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Taxation provisions. Increases the standard deduction to $10,000 for single individuals, $15,000 for individuals eligible to claim head of household for federal tax purposes, and $20,000 for married individuals beginning in taxable year 2027 and indexes such deduction amount for inflation beginning in taxable year 2028. The bill also removes the aggregate amount of housing opportunity tax credits that may be claimed for qualified projects across all calendar years and exempts food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products from the local sales tax. The bill establishes two new tax brackets beginning on and after January 1, 2027, that tax income in excess of $600,000 but not in excess of $1,000,000 at a rate of eight percent and income in excess of $1,000,000 at a rate of 10 percent. Finally, the bill provides that 50 percent of revenues generated by the new tax brackets will be dedicated to localities for maintenance, operation, capital outlays, debt and interest payments, or other expenses incurred in the operation of public schools.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivian Watts | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 14 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Incorporates HB188 (Convirs-Fowler)
- Continued to next session in Finance (Voice Vote)
- Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- Fiscal Impact statement From TAX (2/8/2026 9:56 pm)
- House subcommittee offered
- Fiscal Impact statement From TAX (2/7/2026 8:31 am)
- Assigned HFIN sub: Subcommittee #3
- Referred to Committee on Finance
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105358D